[i]Wednesday 30 November, 2005
Pipeline, Ehukai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
RIP CURL PRO PIPELINE MASTERS
(8-20 December)
Photo courtesy of www.aspworldtour.com
Live on www.aspworldtour.com and www.ripcurlpro.com
Pipeline Hawaii, the worlds most photographed and most famous (or infamous) wave, will play host to the penultimate event on the 2005 Fosters ASP Mens World Tour next week the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters.
In its 35th year the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters is the11th and final contest on the Fosters ASP Mens World Tour calendar and has been appropriately tagged the greatest show on surf.[/i]Such is the nature of surfing, and the beast that is Banzai Pipeline, competitors can go home from a heat here with the buzz of a lifetime after surviving some of the best barrels on the planet. Or alternatively they could leave the beach in an ambulance. The atmosphere at the location throughout the Masters is spurred on by 35 years of tradition, bravado and showmanship from Mother Nature. It is therefore one of the greatest sporting spectacles in the world.
As an event, the Masters is in its own orbit, said Association Of Surfing Professionals President, Wayne Rabbit Bartholomew. Nowhere on earth can spectators experience such an up-close viewing of Mother Natures intimate interaction with the raw elements. Banzai Pipeline is an icon. Its the first Wonder of the Surfing World. There are so many great stories from the last 35 years. The Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters is steeped in legend. Its all about anticipation. This is the big one. Pipe!
The event is also the third in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series (which also comprises of two second tier WQS events at Haleiwa and Sunset) and will showcase not only the elite from the top 45 but will also highlight a host of local chargers who will be selected to compete in the main rounds via the Rip Curl Code STL Trials event. (At time of going to press trialists have yet to be confirmed.)
Leading the charge from the locals will be defending Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters champion and wildcard Jamie OBrien (who receives a wildcard from Rip Curl as defending champ).
Despite not being a permanent member of the touring top 45, he was granted entry as a wildcard last year and turned every head in the surfing world when he completely dominated his foes.
Such is the grandeur associated with a win at Pipe, even 12 months after his victory people are still patting him on the back.
Its been weird actually, almost a year after my win people are continuing to congratulate me all over the world, said 21-year-old OBrien. Youd think people would have forgotten about it by now, but theyre still really supportive. Its a good feeling and it makes me stoked to come back and compete for the title again this year.
OBrien, whos backyard is the North Shore of Oahu, where Pipeline and other world famous waves such as Sunset, Waimea Bay and Rocky Point are located, never looked in doubt of winning last year and in 2005 he is eager to further his fledging reputation for being todays true Pipe Master. OBrien notes, however, that he is always fully in awe of the power of the break and that every time he paddles out he must have ultimate respect.
Its beyond its power, said OBrien. If you win a contest out at Pipe, youre just the master of a few waves that day. Once you think youve mastered the wave thats when you get hurt. Pipe can hand you a severe pounding. Bouncing off the reef, holding you under, thrashing you around itll mess you up.
Coming off the back of his unprecedented seventh Fosters ASP Mens World Tour crowning last month in Brazil, Kelly Slater assured his fans that he also would love dearly to be the man at Pipe in 2005.
With the pressure now lifted from his shoulders in the ratings race Slater was looking at a victory at Pipe to top off an excellent year, one that he called perhaps the best year of my life.
Slater has won the event a phenomenal five times yet has been in a drought at Pipe in recent years with his last win being in 1999. In Brazil he indicated he was hungry.
To win at Pipe would just be such a great cap off to the year, said Slater. Its over as far as the race is concerned but I wont be holding back. It would really nice to finish of with another win. Five of the six world titles Ive won previously Ive won at Pipe also. Pipeline has been really good to me and its been a while since I have won out there. Ive been close in the finals over the last few years but it really would be awesome to hold aloft that trophy again.
Rip Curl and ASP will be hosting a live webcast of the entire event. Stay tuned to www.ripcurlpro.com and www.aspworldtour.com for all the details.
For further information about the Vans Triple Crown Of Surfing go to www.triplecrownofsurfing.com